A display of Starbucks Via instant coffee is shown, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in New York. Starbucks Corp. began handing out tens of thousands of free samples of its latest product Tuesday, hoping to persuade consumers to try what many see as a down-market drink. AP Photo logo AP Photo 29 months ago

A display of Starbucks Via instant coffee is shown, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in New York. Starbucks Corp. began handing out tens of thousands of free samples of its latest product Tuesday, hoping to persuade consumers to try what many see as a down-market drink.